ATTICA, Ohio — The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is “Buckeye State” bound for a big week.
The sprint car world’s entire focus is fixed firmly on Ohio. Race teams are traveling from afar. Race fans have finally reached those vacations requested months ago. Haulers are stocked to capacity. Campers are loaded up. Ohio is the place to be this week.
The Greatest Show on Dirt will first invade Attica Raceway Park for the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac Vitamins and Minerals on Tuesday, July 15.
Doty was once one of the sport’s most promising talents behind the wheel before a 1988 injury halted his career. The Apple Creek, Ohio, native won 18 World of Outlaws Features, including seven in 1987 on his way to a runner-up finish in the points.
Doty’s time in the driver’s seat may have ended, but his time in sprint car racing has not, as he’s stayed involved through a variety of avenues to contribute to the sport he loves.
After “The Doty,” the focus shifts to Eldora Speedway for four nights of sprint car racing capped by the 42nd running of the Kings Royal on Saturday. The big event will pay $200,000 to the winner.
The Brad Doty Classic is one of Ohio’s most historic events, and Tuesday is set to write the latest chapter.
“The Doty” has seen 25 different winners heading into the 37th edition. Donny Schatz’s four victories stand atop the list of the most, but Kyle Larson has been closing in with three wins in the last five runnings.
Six competitors have claimed multiple checkered flags, with David Gravel being the most recent as he picked up his second last year.
It’s also proven to be an event where the host state shines. Nine of the 25 winners are Ohio natives. Danny Smith and Dale Blaney are Buckeyes who have topped multiple events.
There are many drivers with plenty of Attica success still looking to tame the Brad Doty Classic.
Ohio’s own Sheldon Haudenschild badly wants to add a Brad Doty Classic to his résumé. He’s won at Ohio locally (2013) and twice with the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC).
Michael “Buddy” Kofoid has had speed from his very first visit to Attica. He’s competed 26 times at the third-mile dirt track, and a dozen of those trips have led to podiums. Twice he’s topped Attica features, including one with the World of Outlaws last year.
Cole Macedo, an Attica track champion, won Monday night’s High Limit feature at Fremont Speedway and should contend at Attica in the 2C Racing entry.
Skylar Gee frequently competed in Ohio prior to going full-time with the World of Outlaws, and his experience includes a trio of local victories, with one as recent as last year. Tuesday will mark his fourth Brad Doty Classic appearance.
Fans can also expect many Ohio locals that have won at Attica before, like Cap Henry, Bryce Lucius, Craig Mintz and many more to be in action, looking to pull off an upset.
